RN - Clinical Specialist

Job Summary:
Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Nursing & Home Care, the RN-Clinical Specialist role will assist the Home Care RNs in the field. Daily tasks will include skilled and acute visits, assessing patients and home safety evaluations for potential new enrollees. The RN - Clinical Specialist will conduct nursing assessments, collaborate with the clinical team; communicate with participants and families; and complete timely documentation. The RN - Clinical Specialist will provide services wherever needed such as CNA supervisions, vaccination administration as ordered, and to provide substitute coverage for in-house nursing positions as needed. Rotating Saturday coverage is required.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conducts histories, physical exams and functional nursing assessments of enrolled participants.
• Assists Team HCRNs in providing services to participants in the community including: acute care, treatments, management of transitions of care, medication reconciliations, wellness visits and patient education. Observes, records and reports to primary care staff or IDT any change in participant condition.
• Ensures seamless care by establishing collegial relationships with the Community RNs to promote teamwork. Communicates with Team RN/HCRN regarding the concerns of the participants and their medical needs. Collaborates with the Home Care RNs and IDT to ensure medical orders are followed.
• Conducts home safety evaluations as assigned and reports to Intake and nurse manager any concerns. Follows the enrollee through the intake process and gives a "warm hand-off" to the Team/HCRN during the first month of enrollment.
• Provides nursing coverage for a Team/HCRN, performs home care assessments as needed and reports findings to the interdisciplinary team (IDT).
• Communicates with families regarding delivery of services and changes in orders that will impact care.
• Assists Home Care Department on oversight/adherence to policy and competencies and training of CNA's. Completes quarterly home visits to assess/educate CNAs as needed.
• Assists participants in maintaining optimum health in the community; provides health education and counseling to participants and caregivers facing chronic conditions and end of life issues.
• Performs related duties as assigned. Provides Coverage for in-house nursing positions as needed. Supports vaccination clinics as needed.
• Assists with orientation of new staff and serves as a mentor to nursing students.
• Engages in problem solving on RN/clinical level. Is knowledgeable and adheres to all nursing policies and procedures regarding standards of care.
• Conducts wound care visits and tracking as directed.
• Recommends treatments to medical and nursing teams as needed. Collaborates with nursing to assess complicated wounds.
• Offers informal wound education to individual nurses and supports wound education to the nursing team.
• Conducts Phlebotomy in the community as directed and provides formal oversight and competency oversight in phlebotomy for the organization.
• Conducts urgent home care visits in lieu of ER/Hospitalization.
• Collaborates with the education and training area to develop and provide CNA/HM educational sessions.
• Primary Trainer/Preceptor for New RN Hires. BBP training for new staff.
• In collaboration with nursing manager, completes RN competencies.
• Partners with Nursing and Medical leadership to develop and conduct targeted Participant Educational Programs.
• Can identify appropriate resources when unsure of specific policies or procedures.
• Completes documentation of all nursing care and services in medical record. Records all nursing encounters per PACE documentation standards.
• Uses proper universal and standard precautions and Infectious Control PPE according to PACE policy and procedure.
• Protects privacy and maintains confidentiality of sensitive participant and agency information.
• Provides coverage in PACE-RI Day Centers as necessary and assigned.
• Attends staff and department meetings and agency in-services as required.
• Works rotating weekends and/or holidays as assigned.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of clear, thorough documentation as crucial to good participant care; completes and enters accurate, thorough participant documentation in the electronic health record; enters documentation for assessments, orders, and notes within required timeframes.
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Required Skills & Abilities:
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Dependable and punctual with ability to maintain consistent attendance
Ability to read, write and comprehend English
Ability to maintain sound judgement under stress and communicate effectively
Ability to proficiently perform clinical/skilled tasks associated within scope of position
Proficiency with MS Office Suite or similar software

Education Requirements:
Associate Degree, Required
Bachelor's Degree Preferred

Physical Requirements:
Physical ability to regularly stoop, bend, kneel, lift, stand, walk, stretch and reach for extended periods of time.
Must be able to regularly lift objects up to 25 pounds and at times up to 35 pounds.
Must be able to assist a 200-250 lb. participant, using proper body mechanics.
Must have hearing and vision abilities within normal range (corrected) to drive safely and/or to observe and communicate with participants.
Must be able to navigate various departments of the organization's physical premises as well as related community care settings.
Must be able to tolerate conditions typically associated within a medical office and/or home care setting including potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases.
Must be able to complete assignments in variable weather conditions and ever-changing and sometimes allergenic environments in participant homes, including extreme heat, humidity, dust, smoke, pet contamination, and cleaning supplies.

Experience:
2 Years of direct service work (Adult Day, Nursing Home or Home Care), Preferred
1 Year of experience in a Medical or Geriatric Care setting, Preferred
1 year of experience working with a frail or elderly population, Preferred

License & Certification Requirements:
Rhode Island Registered Nurse License (RN)

Position Requirements:
CPR Certification
Driver's License & access to reliable transportation; community-based work required